Ice Festivals

Festivals

Experience the magic of ice festivals, where master sculptors transform blocks of ice into breathtaking works of art. From intricate themed displays to massive multi-block sculptures, our festival creations bring winter wonderlands to life with stunning craftsmanship and creativity.

Perfect for city-wide celebrations, winter carnivals, and seasonal events, our ice festivals feature live carving demonstrations, interactive photo ops and games, ice bars, themed sculptures, and family-friendly attractions that captivate audiences of all ages. Whether you’re hosting a holiday festival, corporate-sponsored event, or community celebration, we create icy masterpieces that leave lifelong memories.

Festival Features & Experiences

❄️ Live Ice Carving Shows

Watch the snow fly as sculptors carve stunning designs in real time.

🏰 Grand Multi-Block Displays

Awe-inspiring ice castles, life-size figures and replicas, and large-scale multi block themed sculptures.

🍸 Ice Bars & Drink Luges

A unique way to serve beverages in a fully functional ice bar customized for any event.

🎨 Interactive & Photo-Worthy Installations

Ice mazes, photo op thrones, logo displays and LED-lit sculptures.

⛸️ Ice Playgrounds & Activities

Ice slides, corn hole, ping pong, and so much more!

Whether you’re looking to host an entire festival or add ice attractions to an existing event, we bring creativity, precision, and a touch of winter magic.

1. Fankenmuth, Michigan with Rock on Ice 2018-2023 - 6yrs

My father and I would travel up to Michigan with the Rock on Ice team to be a part of their annual Zhender’s Snow Fest. We were hired to create the oversized ice display while teams competed in the pro and amature snow sculpting competition. It would typically take 5-6 days with 5-8 people working to complete in time for the mass crowds and competitions held on the weekend. Every year was a different theme and we incorporated photo op sculptures, functioning ice news desks and a large centerpiece sculpture with the snowfest logo. During the weekend collegiate and alumni teams would compete in a single block and team competition. My father and I have both judged these competitions and it was a great week full of learning and funny memories.

2. Medina, Ohio with Elegant Ice Creations 2013-present

This year(2025) marked the 31st anniversary of this ice festival hosted by elegant ice creations and the city of Medina. It is one of, if not, the largest ice festival in the state of Ohio. With over 150 sponsor sculptures, photo ops, 2 day competition and so much more over the 3 day festival! My father started taking me to Medina when I was an amature ice sculptor, around 13 yrs old. He introduced me to many amazing people that are a part of my ice family to this day and I have learned SO much from them. When I was younger I’d assist my dad in the competitions there and soon after I began to compete in the amature competition. Over the years, refining and improving my skill sets, I have competed in the professional and team competitions and placed 1st multiple times. For the past 4 years I have traveled to EIC’s studio before the festival begins on friday to assist with sculpture production and the BIG set up on friday. We then have a speed carving event Friday night, followed by a fire and ice tower that I have been a part of for over a decade now. Media has a special place in my heart and I will always have great memories from that festival!

3. Carmel, Indiana 2018-present - 8 yrs

The Festival of Ice in Carmel, Indiana began in 2018 by a good ice sculpting friend and master sculptor, Stephan Koch, who lives north of Indianapolis. The first year he had reached out to us to produce all the ice necessary for the 3 day weekend event and to participate. So, we did! The first year we had 6 sculptors, creating a 3 block freestyle sculpture Friday evening downtown, a 4 block showpiece sculpture Saturday at the ice rink (Carter Green) and a speed carving competition Sunday with a total block count of 54. Stephan has since retired from full time ice carving and he has passed the baton onto ME. 2025 was my second year hosting and logistically running the event and my 8th year carving. We have since doubled the talent field and have 12 professional ice sculptors for this amazing event. But, with more sculptors, that means more ice. This year (2025) we produced and transported 102 blocks of ice from our studio in Lexington, KY to Carmel for the 3 day festival! We plan on incorporating more fun and interactive ice sculptures along with the competitions in the years to come. This has become a festival I look forward to every year. I love seeing families bring their kids and pets every year to see the live ice magic, participate in the speed carving judging and get some really amazing photos/videos and make memories as they watch us transform over 14 tons of ice!!!

4. Crested Butte, Colorado with Rock on Ice 2022 & 2024 - 2yrs

Hired once again by Rock on Ice (based out of Columbus, OH) I am the lead sculptor for their interactive ice installation at the Crested Butte ski resort in Crested Butte, Colorado. Myself and two others fly out with all of our ice tools and cold weather gear to sculpt about 40-50 blocks of ice in 4 days. Each time there is a different theme. My first year was all snow gnomes. Gnome sculptures skiing, snowboarding, a yeti, sleigh photo op, ice throne and more. My second year was wild Colorado, incorporating what you'd see riding a snowmobile in CO. We had a mountain goat climbing rocks, a bear after he found some fish, a fluffy tailed fox, ice throne and a fully 3D snowmobile for guests to interact with! The temperature there can be extremely cold, I recall -20F one morning in 2022, and it preserves the sculptures for months depending on mother nature. After we left at the end of December in 2022, the sculptures lasted till the beginning of March 2023. It's a very appreciated experience with all the ski resort guests heading to the slopes and stopping to interact with us. It's a beautiful change of scenery to work in the mountains vs my 4 freezer walls!

5. Culver, Indiana 2018-2022 - 5yrs

The small ice festival held in Culver, Indiana was started by our ice friend Stephan Koch in 2020. I would drive up with my ice tools and participate in the ice installations and speed carving competition. We would set up a small assortment of sponsor sculptures all around town with 3D carvings, local business logos and interactive games and photo ops for families. In the evening we’d host a speed carving competition where two sculptors go head to head with a full block of ice and 20 minutes with the crowd deciding the ultimate winner by the end! It is a small festival but a very memorable one that is right near a frozen lake. Since Stephan retired, Rock on Ice has taken over the festival and still hosts the speed carving event.